Home & Garden Briefs – May 8

Pittsburgh Botanic Garden’s Plant Sale & Celebration takes place 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. May 11. Attendees will be able to shop, take a class, enjoy a tour and take home a beautiful hanging basket for Mom.

Knowledgeable horticulturists will be on hand to assist each customer. Gardening classes range from “Choosing plants for wet soils” and “Kitchen garden herbs” to “How to design a mixed border.” Garden accessories and refreshments will also be available for sale at the event.

The Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is located at 798 Pinkerton Run Road, off of Noblestown Road, Collier. For more information, call 412-444-4464 or visit www.pittsburghbotanicgarden.org.

Tour and tasting

The Allegheny West Civic Council will present a tour and tasting in the homes and gardens of Old Allegheny 5-9 p.m. June 7 and 8. Visit the lavishly decorated homes and gardens in the Allegheny West Historic District of Pittsburgh’s North Side.

Treehaven Garden Club will hold its annual plant sale 8 a.m.-noon May 11 at South Park Shops on Route 88. Perennials, hanging baskets and floral gift baskets will be available. For more information, email jankleiser@verizon.net.

Giant Oaks Garden Club

Giant Oaks Garden Club will sponsor its annual Plant Sale 9 a.m.-1 p.m. May 18 at the Peters Township Public Library, rain or shine. The sale, now in its 13th year, features a large variety of quality potted perennial plants selected from members’ gardens. Also featured are herbs, annuals, hanging baskets and raffle baskets of gardening items. GOGC members, many of whom are Master Gardeners, also provide assistance and answer individual gardening questions from the public. For more information, call 724-941-3081.

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

On May 10-11, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens’ May Market will bring together staff horticulturists, garden clubs, nurseries and farms, and other vendors on its front lawn for a plant and garden accessory sale of ultra-green proportions. In honor of National Public Gardens Day, attendees will also receive half-off admission to the Summer Flower Show, featuring bright blooms and dazzling glass art. Organic herbs and vegetable seedlings, tropical plants and succulents, low-maintenance perennials and shrubs on Phipps’ Top 10 Sustainable Plants List, native and rain garden plants, and many other seasonal favorites are among the offerings green thumbs can expect to find at May Market. Also available for sale will be everything from organic soil and landscaping materials to botanical art and natural body care products. Phipps’ staff and master gardeners will be on hand to share advice, and hand-dipped fondant strawberries will be served.

During May Market, Café Phipps will be open both days as well to make for the perfect Mother’s Day weekend outing. May Market, held from 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. May 10 and 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. May 11, is free and open to the public. For more information, visit phipps.conservatory.org.

Food Preservation workshops

Penn State Extension is offering a series of food preservation classes. On May 14 at the Buffalo Inn, the class will cover pressure canning for low-acid foods.

All workshops take place from 6:30-9:30 p.m. and will include formal instruction, a demonstration, samples and recipes. Cost is $25 per class or $60 for all three sessions. For more information, call 412-473-2540.